The California Solar Initiative - CSI

Solar for Low-Income Households

Meeting Announcement

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is currently working to craft an incentive program that can specifically meet the needs of California 's existing low income households and affordable housing communities.

In January 2006, the CPUC adopted Decision 06-01-024 establishing the CSI with the goal of creating a sustainable solar market in California . That decision committed to reserve 10% of the program funds over 10 years to promote participation by low income households living in existing housing structures. This decision, and as further clarified by Senate Bill 1 signed by the Governor on August 21, 2006, directs the CPUC to implement a solar incentive program that addresses the nonresidential and existing housing markets in the investor-owned utility service areas (Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric). Learn more about the CPUC decision at: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/energy/solar/.

On September 30, 2006, state legislation was enrolled into law via AB 2723 that will take effect in January 2007. This legislation gives direction for the CPUC's programmatic approach for solar incentives for low income households, going into more detail than the Commission's January 2006 Decision. The legislation defines low income residential housing and eligible solar energy systems. For the full text of that legislation, refer to:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/asm/ab_2701-2750/ab_2723_bill_20060930_chaptered.html

CSI Single-Family Low-Income Incentive Program

On November 17th, 2007, the CPUC adopted the CSI Single-Family Low-Income Incentive Program. The Single-Family Low-Income Incentive Program will provide incentives for solar PV systems from $4.75 to $7.00 per watt to qualifying low-income homeowners. The Program will also provide full-subsidy systems to very low income households. To qualify for the CSI Single-Family Low-Income Program, homeowners must meet the legal definition of "low-income residential housing" in Public Utilities Code 2852. Eligibility is limited to those households who financed their home through local, state and federal housing assistance programs and whose household income is at or below the 50 percent of the area median income.

The CSI Single-Family Low-Income Program will not begin accepting applications until after a statewide Program Manager has been selected. A Request For Proposals for the CSI Single-Family Low-Income Program Manager was released on April 16th, 2008, and is available below. The final date for Proposal submission is May 28th, 2008. Once the Program Manager is selected, they will implement the Single-Family Low-Income Program throughout the state of California, and will assist applicants in determining their individual eligibility. For more information, please review the information on the CPUC website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Solar/070424_csilowincome.htm, and then contact the CPUC CSI Single-Family Low-Income Program team at energy@cpuc.ca.gov. or call 415-355-5586 if you have additional questions.

• Download Request For Proposals (RFP) for the CSI Single-Family Low-Income Program Manager, posted April 16, 2008.
  (PDF file, 35 pages, 1.4 megabytes)
  Proposal due date: May 28, 2008

CSI Multi-Family Low-Income Incentives

The CPUC is currently developing a plan for solar PV incentives for multi-family, low-income housing. For more information about the multi-family strategy, please contact Caitlin Henig with PG&E at solar@pge.com.